| Homily
for the 3rd Sunday of Lent: March 11, 2007
Given by the Most
Reverend Stephen E. Blaire at the Cathedral of the Annunciation
in Stockton.
This past week the news reported three fatal
accidents on Highway 12. I did not know any of the people
killed, but today’s gospel is a stark reminder that
it could be any of us at any time. We do not know the day
or the hour of our death. The parable of the barren fig tree
clearly communicates that God wants us to be fruitful in our
lives. God is patient but there will come a day of accountability.
The prayer in the Mass today for the Elect who will be baptized
at Easter captures these sentiments when God is asked to grant
that these catechumens may attain purity of heart and advance
on the way to salvation.
The time to produce good fruit in our lives
is now. Lent thrusts into our consciences that this very moment
is the hour of salvation. Turn away from sin and be faithful
to the gospel NOW. What is Jesus Christ asking me right now
to do in my life? Pope Benedict in a recent audience spoke
about the indicative of salvation and the imperative of morality.
The great reality is that we have been saved by the grace
of God through Christ (the indicative of salvation) and that
this salvation bears fruit in the morality and good works
that we do (the imperative of morality). The urgency of Lent
compels us to ask what we can do for God and for the Church?
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let me sow love. Where there is doubt, faith. (St.
Francis)
I do not have to travel far to do something
for God. I have only to look into my own situation in daily
life. I do not even have to do something great. I have only
to do as well as I can what I have been asked by God to do.
Lent is the moment of salvation; Lent is the time to advance
on the way to salvation.
Last Update March 11, 2007
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